Florida News Straight From the Source
The speed limit on an approximately 9-mile stretch of State Road (S.R.) A1A in Brevard County is scheduled to be reduced to 35 mph beginning May 1. [Read more…] about Speed Limit Changes Coming to S.R. A1A in Brevard County
Governor Ron DeSantis will make a major announcement in Brevard County, Florida on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis to Make Major Announcement in Brevard County
Brevard County drivers will soon begin navigating a single lane of the diverging diamond interchange (DDI) on Viera Boulevard at the Interstate 95 (I-95) overpass, as part of a soft opening. [Read more…] about New Traffic Pattern Coming to Viera Boulevard Interchange
Interstate 95 (I-95) motorists may encounter overnight exit ramp closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the next two weeks for the installation of overhead signs. [Read more…] about Nighttime Ramp Detours for I-95 Sign Installation in Brevard County
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public workshop for the intersection improvement project at State Road (S.R.) 500 (U.S. 192) at Hollywood Boulevard/Evans Road. The proposed improvements include milling and resurfacing, replacing existing mast arms, upgrading signing and pavements markings, upgrading pedestrian features to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and drainage and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) improvements. Please see the attached flier. [Read more…] about U.S. 192 at Hollywood Boulevard/Evans Road Intersection Improvements Public Workshop
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT is holding a public information meeting regarding plans to improve the intersection of State Road (S.R.) A1A at S.R. 520 from Brevard Lane to north of S.R. 520 in Brevard County.
The proposed improvements include removing the free flow right turn lanes, realigning the east approach and extending the northbound dual left turn lanes. Also included in the project is the extension of the existing northbound left turn lane at the intersection of S.R. A1A and Canaveral Plaza Boulevard (Marion Lane), and various pedestrian safety improvements.
The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, at the Cocoa Beach Country Club, River Room, 5000 Tom Warriner Boulevard in Cocoa Beach. The meeting is an open house from 5-7 p.m., and includes a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to inform interested persons of the proposed improvements and receive their feedback.
Participants may provide comments during the meeting, by email or by mail. Written comments should be directed to Mr. Gene Varano, FDOT Project Manager, 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, MS 542, DeLand, FL 32720, or [email protected]. Comments mailed should be postmarked no later than Monday, June 4, 2018. All comments, written and oral, will become part of the project’s public record.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should also contact Mr. Gene Varano. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD), or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting the FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, at [email protected].
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at 386-943-5479 or [email protected].
FDOT advises drivers to slow down and use extra caution in construction zones.
Motorists traveling on southbound Interstate 95 (I-95) in Brevard and Indian River counties may encounter a traffic pacing operation this Wednesday and Thursday from about 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The operation is needed to safely transport and set bridge beams for the new St. Johns Heritage Parkway interchange near Micco Road.
The 7-mile pacing operation will be conducted by Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Southbound traffic will be slowed to 15 mph beginning at the State Road (S.R.) 514/Malabar Road entrance ramp. Troopers will then pace traffic through the construction area.
Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances. Electronic message boards will be used to alert motorists to lane closures and detours. Updates will be available on the FDOT’s Central Florida website CFLRoads.com.
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at 386-943-5479 or [email protected].
FDOT advises drivers to slow down and use extra caution in construction zones.
Motorists traveling on northbound Interstate 95 (I-95) in Indian River and Brevard counties may encounter nighttime rolling roadblocks next Monday and Tuesday, April 16-17. The roadblocks are needed to safely transport and set bridge beams for the new St. Johns Heritage Parkway interchange near Micco Road.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers will slow northbound traffic to 20 mph at County Road (C.R.) 512/Fellsmere Road entrance ramp. Troopers will pace traffic for about 10 miles through the construction area located just north of Micco Road in Brevard County. Drivers can expect short delays.
Please note construction schedules may change due to weather or other circumstances. Electronic message boards will be used to alert motorists to lane closures and detours. Updates will be available on the FDOT’s Central Florida website CFLRoads.com.
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at 386-943-5479 or mailto:[email protected].
FDOT advises drivers to slow down and use extra caution in construction zones.
The Florida Lottery announces that JonDavid Duvall, of Viera, claimed a $1 million prize from the $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, on his 48th birthday. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $748,000.00.
Duvall purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 5380 Stadium Parkway in Rockledge. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The new $25 game, $10,000,000 WORLD CLASS CASH, launched in February and features more than $549 million in total cash prizes, including two top prizes of $10 million and 46 prizes of $1 million! Overall odds of winning are one-in-2.89.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 65 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $734 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2015-16.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded Brevard County an additional $21.5 million legislative appropriation grant for Phase II of the Brevard County Muck Dredging project. This latest funding builds on the previous $20 million awarded in the past two years for muck removal in the Indian River Lagoon, for a total investment of $41.5 million to date.
Muck build-up is a result of nutrient pollution, sediment, grass clippings, leaves and other organic matter entering the Indian River Lagoon over time and accumulating at the bottom. As muck decomposes, it consumes oxygen needed by fish and it releases nutrients that feed algal blooms. Muck sediments also negatively impact navigation and can damage seagrass beds.
“Eliminating current sources of muck is a crucial step toward improving water quality and the overall health of the Lagoon,” said DEP Interim Secretary Ryan Matthews. “Brevard County continues to demonstrate its commitment to protect and restore the Indian River Lagoon and we look forward to continued collaboration to protect this important resource.”
This newest phase of the project will remove approximately 400,000 additional cubic yards of muck sediments from the south Sykes Creek and Grand Canal sites within the Indian River Lagoon, the Banana River Lagoon and associated tributaries.
“We are grateful to DEP for this additional funding to help restore the Indian River Lagoon,” said Virginia Barker, Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department director. “The continuation of muck removal projects is important to the overall health, productivity, aesthetic appeal and economic value of the Lagoon, and saving the Lagoon is a top priority for the people who live, work and play here.”
Previous funding includes $20 million for the ongoing Phase I of the Brevard County Muck Dredging project, which when completed will remove approximately 350,000 cubic yards of muck from the north Cocoa Beach, Mims boat ramp and Turkey Creek sites within the Indian River Lagoon, the Banana River Lagoon and associated tributaries. Additionally, $800,000 was awarded to identify sources of muck in the Indian River Lagoon and remove aquatic vegetation from the Lagoon watershed.
Together, both phases of the muck dredging project are estimated to remove a total of approximately 1,400 tons of nitrogen and 300 tons of phosphorous contained within Indian River Lagoon muck sediments.
The Indian River Lagoon Research Institute at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), has been awarded $1.5 million to assist in monitoring project effectiveness, as well as conduct research on the chemical, physical and biological effects of muck removal within the Indian River Lagoon system.
“FIT is proud to be a research partner in this project,” said Professor Emeritus Dr. John Windsor at Florida Institute of Technology Department of Ocean Engineering and Science. “It was very foresighted of the legislature, DEP and Brevard County to assess the benefits of environmental muck dredging in coastal waters and support the research necessary to optimize Indian River Lagoon restoration from muck removal. It is also important for our students to experience how one state, one school or one person can change the world and help save a national treasure like the Indian River Lagoon, and be prepared to continue the ongoing restoration and maintenance plan.”
The department is working aggressively to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon by identifying and funding additional wastewater and stormwater projects to reduce the amount of nutrients going into the Lagoon, as well as dredging projects to remove muck from the bottom of the Lagoon.
Governor Rick Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Families” budget proposes funding for a 50/50 state matching grant program with local communities, including those along Indian River Lagoon, to provide funding to encourage residents to move from septic tanks to sewer systems in order to curb pollution that is currently entering impacted water bodies. Additionally, this proposal will support local communities to help build wastewater systems to meet the increased demand for wastewater services.
About DEP’s Division of Water Restoration Assistance
The Division of Water Restoration Assistance is responsible for providing loans and grants for projects that improve the quality and quantity of the state’s water resources and provide a significant benefit to the environment and local communities. Projects in several program areas are funded that improve stormwater quality, reduce pollutants entering surface water and groundwater, protect springs, collect and treat wastewater, produce and distribute drinking water, nourish beaches and reclaim mined land. For more information, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/water/waterprojectfunding/.
